by Andrew Shaffer

On February 18, PayPal contacted ebook distributor Smashwords with an ultimatum: Remove certain types of erotic ebooks (featuring underage characters, incest, bestiality, and rape), or face deactivation of their PayPal account. Since PayPal is integrated into the Smashwords website, they had no choice but to remove the “edgy” erotica identified by PayPal as “unlawful.” No U.S. court had ever found any of the ebooks in question illegal, but that was rather beside the point for PayPal, who seemed to be confusing illegal sexual activities with legal depictions of those activities.

What started as a dispute between a payment processor (PayPal) and a handful of ebook stores (including Smashwords) snowballed into a widely circulated petition from the Electronic Freedom Foundation (signed by the Authors Guild, the CBLDF, and the ACLU, among others) asking PayPal to reverse their policy.

“What I find chilling is that the money exchanger, not the merchant, can make such a decision,” commenter L.K. Rigel wrote on a Dear Author blog post, where news of PayPal’s actions was first reported. “PayPal is, after all, basically a bank. So now a bank gets to decide what customers can buy or merchants can sell? The decision is only palatable because they’re cutting off stuff people mostly find abhorrent.”

When PayPal allegedly tried to lay the blame on credit card companies’ terms of service, Visa flipped a finger right back. “Visa takes no position with respect to lawful goods and services bought and sold by the people and the companies who use our payment service,” Visa’s Investor Relations wrote in a letter to BannedWriters.com. “We want to clarify that Visa had no involvement with PayPal’s conclusion on this issue.”

After Visa clarified their position on credit card usage (“anything legal”), PayPal’s excuse (“the credit card companies are making us do this!”) fell apart and they had to admit defeat. On March 13, PayPal announced an updated policy with regards to handling ebook transactions that “will prohibit use of PayPal for the sale of e-books that contain child pornography, or e-books with text and obscene images of rape, bestiality or incest… In addition, the policy will be focused on individual books, not on entire ‘classes’ of books.”

PayPal’s policy change represented a win for online retailers as well as for freedom of expression “This is going to be a major victory for writers, readers and free speech,” said Smashwords’ Mark Coker.

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by Nahp Suicide

Anemona is from Chile. She has been photographer and a Suicide Girl since 2007. She started being her own model/photographer and has now shot more than 70 sets for SG.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

I remember that the first pictures of Suicide Girls that I saw were on a website called Fotolog. I loved the concept of the webpage and the whole role of alternative modeling. Immediately I felt identified with them! I talked with a friend from college (Neftis) and proposed her to make a set, and she said yes. That’s how everything started.

What’s your background photography-wise?

I studied sound engineering at college, and there I got on a short course of basic photography. That was my first introduction to it. Then I quit my career to officially study photography at university. I left university for personal reasons, but I’ve continued my self education every day. I’m a firm believer that knowledge and perfection comes not only by theory but also through practice.

What was the first photo you had published?

Some of Mattilda‘s pictures in La Nacion, a local newspaper talking about the new phenomenon called SuicideGirls.

How would you describe your style?

I think that my personal photography style is very connected with who I am, my personal style and how I interpret the world; I would say bright colors, fresh, and playful.

What gear do you use?

A Canon 7D + 50mm + 10-22mm + 28-200mm and my very personal NATURAL LIGHT. I don’t like to use much studio lightning, I always prefer natural sets.




How important is Photoshop in your final images?

I use Photoshop basically to increase the colors – that is kind of my personal style. I also add some contrast and do a little skin retouching.

What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

I really love music, so music videos are a huge inspiration to me. I love the style of Jonas Åkerlund and how he uses colors, I really do! Also Cherry has an amazing use of colors and Sean make sets with such a simplicity that’s impossible not to feel inspired by them too.

What is your favorite image?

It’s hard to choose but I would say these are some of them: Atomic in Under The Waves (NSFW), Discoquette in Transparent, Smash in Into The Light (NSFW), Belena in Lomography, Lith in Hottie Geek (NSFW).

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

Well, in Atomic’s “Under The Waves” set it was very difficult to do, cause the day was so cold and we had to try to shoot in waves and cold water. But we actually made it awesome. I’ve always wanted to make a set like that so I guess that’s why I really liked that one.

In Belena’s “Lomography” set we wanted to show just how she is, a very fun, colorful and playful girl, and her love of Lomo cams. I think that’s also one of the best executed sets that I’ve made.

Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

I really love to make people’s portraits and capture their style and represent that. I would love to shoot some day with girls like Carrina, Annalee, Plum, Gogo, Rambo, Pilot, JaneDoe, Discordia, Lass, BelleBane, and many more. Actually, I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to make sets with girls I’ve always wanted to, and I hope I can continue doing it in the future!

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by Nahp Suicide

P_Mod is from Strasbourg, France, and has been a photographer for SG since 2006. He specializes in shooting for tattoo magazines, and also takes live music and band promo pics.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

After a long photography break, my tattoo artist (Reynald, Asphalt Jungle) asked me to do a couple of portraits of some of his costumers. It was a proposition that I declined first cause I felt uncomfortable with portraits. (Basically I was pretty shy and I preferred taking pictures of landscapes, abandoned buildings, and so on.) I discovered SG when looking for good inspiration pictures of tattooed people, and three months later I shot two girls (Ayane & Raia) in Paris with a national TV team behind my back. I hadn’t slept for two days before the shoot, but at least the baptism by fire was done.




What’s your background photography-wise?

I learnt photography [at college] and I graduated 15 years ago. I was pretty disgusted by the artsy/elitist/show-off [element of] the students’ and teachers’ mind-shaping, so I gave up shooting for eight years and worked as an assistant in a photo laboratory. Then digital arrived and the photo processing industry felt down, so I opened my company four years ago. Now I work mostly for the tattoo press and doing band pictures.

What was the first photo you had published?

A picture of Jay Read for the cover of Rise tattoo magazine. 




How would you describe your style?

That’s a pretty difficult question. I don’t work to create a special style actually. Basically I try to keep pictures as close to reality as I can. Photography is in many ways like music, you can hide behind the technology, but it’s not everything. For example, I was at a Dream Theater show a couple of years ago. It was the most well executed gig I’ve ever seen, but the most boring also. Two days later I went to a random punk gig. It was technically a disaster, but way more enjoyable and alive. You can shoot a perfect picture technically, but which doesn’t work cause the moment isn’t there and nothing happens. The shoot is only a part of the process. The selection is also very important: why a picture is a part of your selection, what the picture means for you, and how it represents your mood during the shoot – even if the picture is not technically perfect.

What gear do you use?

A Canon 1D + 50mm + 24-70 95% of the time, and Hasselblad 500CM for analog.




How important is Photoshop in your final images?

I think that a raw image which doesn’t work unedited won’t work edited. I try to select pictures where I won’t have to spend two hours editing, but there’s obviously an element of laziness also.




What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

Mostly music visuals, video clips, cinema. Actually, most of the time it’s not a real creation but it’s tributes from existing things, winks or whatever. The trick is I’m usually trying to let the girl bring her idea. I’m just here to help in a technical shaping. It’s not laziness; I find it interesting to involve models in their own idea as SG is basically a way to show yourself. There’s also the possible scenario where there’s no specific theme, in this case we just discuss how we can take advantage of a location, light, and mood, and do something coherent. To mix with some photographers on SG like Steve Prue, Cherry, Albertine or Dwam has been a real inspiration and kind of changed my view on photography generally speaking.




What is your favorite image?

None and many in the same time.

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

My main trouble is when I spend too much time on the pictures, then I always think it’s all crap. I used to have a personal crisis, like “let’s give up photography and open a fishing company in the country side.” On the other hand, I’m more interested in personalities than simple aesthetics, so my faves are obviously the pictures done with people who own a strong universe. I think when you can join personality and aesthetic, you can be sure something will happen. My first thoughts go to people like AnnaLee, Gogo, Lylie, Leopoldine, Dwam, Nemesis, Revenge, Apory, Opale, Sinnah, and so many others. But I’m certainly not objective about it as they are a way more than models and have became true friends.



Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

I’m usually [limited by] geographic issues, but I’d like to drift off into new encounters so let’s wait and see ; )

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In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Holley
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In Focus: The Photographers of SuicideGirls feat. Writeboy
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by Nahp Suicide

Talena is a Latin American photographer. She lives in Chile but travels constantly to other Latin American countries to shoot sets with different SGs. She has been with SuicideGirls since 2007, and is both a model and a photographer.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

I remember finding a few pictures of Quinne, Apnea, and other models thanks to Fotolog. Then I found a link to the SG site, and took the free tour. I used to think that SG was only for North American models.

What’s your background photography-wise?

My start was thanks to Fotolog. That was how I got involved in photography too, with standard cameras, trying to get the best out of every machine that I had during that time. I was also my own model. I am a self-taught photographer from the beginning, so I know that photography will be my only path in life. In the present I’m studying Visual Art and Photography. I enjoy it very much, but college only gives me the status of professional. I feel like the experience with SuicideGirls gives me all the knowledge of a professional photographer, the studies only give me some foundation in technique. But as an artist or a professional related to art and expression we’re always gonna learn some more.

What was the first photo you had published?

That was in a publication called Pink Attitude. They bought my self-portrait for the cover around 2007 or 2008.

How would you describe your style?

Tough question; In the beginning I was trying to follow the style of the site. It took some time for me to discover my own voice, my own emotional vibration. Outside of SG my style is more dark but equally feminine, playing with the atmosphere, with textures, and the temperature. I guess, little by little, I ended up transferring a mix between my personal style and the style of the site.

What gear do you use?

A Canon 7D with two lenses: a 28-155mm and a 50mm. I aso use a Canon Speedlite 580 II flash and some reflectors. I’m planning to increase my gear this year.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

It’s a tool in that it complements my work, BUT you have to understand that the capture is everything. When I take a good capture, I can always visualize how it’s gonna end up, what kind of mood, the aesthetics, the feeling, the personality of the picture. So for me it is a great tool to increase, interpret, and transform the conditions and details since as a photographer sometimes you have to fight with nature.

What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

I am inspired by several sources: fashion, film, music, and the feeling that remains in my subconscious, that makes me dream. I also get inspired by the style and the personality of the models. It’s really fun adapt a vision based on the style of the model because that only makes the results better.

What is your favorite image?

Oh god, that’s difficult, because lately I have shot so many sets and I think most of them are my favorites. But I think one of them is from the multi of Liu, Prussia and Cassiopea called Cherry Bomb.

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

I specially love this picture because the girls had so much fun. I mean, as a matter of fact, most of the pictures were spontaneous. It was so much fun. The four of us took a long trip to take the shots. It happened in a room full of instruments. Everywhere was smelling of beer and cigarettes, and everyone was sweating and laughing till they burst. I think that’s why it’s one of my faves. It was a nice moment. I love that set to death.

Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

My dream is go to Europe and be able to shot every place that crosses my sight. Getting to know Germany especially, would also be a dream. Being able to shooting Manko, Quinne, Radeo, Plum, Annalee, Kraven, Jamity, and the list goes and goes. The truth is that I hope to meet and shoot so many girls of the site. I’ve had the opportunity to visit different countries and meet very gorgeous girls in each one. I hope to continue traveling the world and not stopping. There’s so much beauty in every place.

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by Nahp Suicide

Lavonne is from Alberta, Canada. She is a Suicide Girl, a Staff Photographer and a really good artist, and has been modeling and shooting sets since 2005.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

I applied and sent in my first self-shot sets in 2004. I hadn’t done anything like it before and thought it would be fun. Then other girls started asking me to photograph them too.

What’s your background photography-wise?

I’ve been shooting for fun since high school and have taken a few courses for darkroom developing, but am mostly self taught.



What was the first photo you had published?

My Tropical set, which I shot with a crappy point and shoot camera and lit with a reading lamp. I think my work has come a long way.



How would you describe your style?

Emotional and real (ideally).



What gear do you use?

For the last 4-5 years, a Canon 5D, mostly with a 50mm f1.4 lens. Rin’s Voyeur set was my only set with a different lens: a 100mm for a more distant feel.



How important is Photoshop in your final images?

I like to use it to remove major distractions and to create dream-like coloring, but I try to keep images natural looking.



What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

I get most of my inspiration from the model and location I’m working with. I prefer shoots to be organic, and keep my own ego out of the way. Photography can often overtake a subject’s true beauty.



What is your favorite image?

There are many that come to mind, but this photo of Rin and Malloreigh [NSFW] is high on the list.

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

I love it mostly because of the good memories of that day. We created a super pink and girly scene, put on a bubble machine, then jumped around and had pillow fights! It wasn’t really about techniques or skill, I just captured a really lovely afternoon as best as I could. It was magical and real, and for me that is what life is about.



Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

There are lots of people and places I’d like to photograph! Models that are passionate and genuine. Places that are inspiring and remote. I want to experience as much of this world as I can.

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by Blogbot

Artist / SG Member Name: Lil Tuffy

Mission Statement: Tuffy doesn’t really do the mission statement thing. That’s why he left the corporate world. He says his mission is to never work in a cubicle again.

Medium: Screen-print/mixed-media.

Aesthetic: Although his aesthetic changes frequently, there is always a cohesive style that’s makes a piece unmistakably his. He’s generally known for his use of found imagery, typography, minimal use of colors and negative space.

Notable Achievements: CBGB’s 30th Anniversary poster, work included in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame archives. Just released 500th gig poster. About to release limited edition line of messenger bags and T-shirts for Chrome Bags.

Why We Should Care: Tuffy is the perfect example of “do what you love and success will follow.” What started as a hobby 10 years ago is now a full-time career designing entire poster series for bands like Pavement and St. Vincent. His artwork and gig posters are exhibited all over the world with shows scheduled in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Barcelona, Hamburg and more in 2012.

I Want Me Some: Visit: liltuffy.bigcartel.com, society6.com/LilTuffy, and tuffingtonpost.tumblr.com/

[..]

by Nahp Suicide

DarrylDarko has been a photographer for SuicideGirls since 2009. He lives in San Jose, California and has been working on an interesting SG side project called “A Day With A Suicide Girl.” So far he’s shot Rambo and Carrina for this series.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

I had known about SuicideGirls for a really long time, and the site has always drawn me in one way or another, but I didn’t get involved with the site until I found Saint, on Model Mayhem. I had never really thought about seriously shooting for the site until I met her and after a first initial test shoot we decided to shoot a set. That set, luckily was bought and kind of started my road down the SuicideGirls path. However, it would be awhile though before things really got rolling.

What’s your background photography-wise?

I’m almost completely self-taught, other than taking a few courses from some community colleges. I had been shooting for a while already, and they were basic courses I kinda felt I would benefit from to kind of put a bit of structure to all the information I already knew. Looking back, I kind of wish I had gone to something a bit more interactive and challenging than just those courses, but something about art school classes was off-putting.

What was the first photo you had published?

I had entered the Crossroads Trading Company fashion contest with this shot. It won an “Honorable Mention” and they bought the rights to it. At some point in the future after that happened, one of my friends told me to that they were using it at Crossroads stores in Portland as a poster so that was pretty cool at the time.

How would you describe your style?

It’s funny how shooting for the site has changed my style. I used to be more into outlandish ideas and wanting to really shoot stuff that was just “different.” With SG sets, I do like the idea of trying to capture the girl as naturally as possible, that’s why I kinda stay away from pinup-ish poses because that’s not the girl, that would be more of an act they’re doing. I’m trying to find a happy balance between the two. I’m still working on that.

What gear do you use?

I used to use a Canon 5D, but have switched to the 7D for the time being. I use 35mm, 50mm, and 24-105mm lenses. I want to go back to full-frame badly.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

Fairly important. I’m able to give photos an extra punch and screw with the colors to make them stand out more, plus smooth out whatever flaws the picture may have, but I try to stay away from making things look fake.

What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

I’d say some of the biggest inspirations are found on the site itself. Before I started shooting for the site Cymagen‘s personal work was a big factor in getting me to shoot more. Since I’ve been on site, Cherry, Sean and Vermelho were bigger influences. I also had a lot of inspiration from movies and music videos. What I really want to work on more is having a narrative to sets so they’re not just ‘a girl getting naked’ so I’ve been looking to more editorial shoots and photographers who specialize in that lately.

What is your favorite image?

[Above.] I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one but this one of Silvi is one of my favorites.

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

It’s one of my favorites because as an image it just seems so perfect. The light wraps around her body really nicely giving it this comforting “bathed in light” feel. This shot was achieved by light coming through the window in the front, but also there was light coming through a window on the left-hand side but it bounced off the ground, which was hard wood and gave it that nice side lighting. Some minor Photoshop enhancements and that’s what you get. The funny story about shooting this set was that when we arrived at the location I found that my camera’s battery was dead, despite me charging it the night before. Luckily my friend’s roomate had a Rebel and I was able to use that camera with one of my lenses. Everything worked out in the end.

Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t? (And tell us why)

Yes, I have an entire list of girls on site that I’d love to shoot someday. I’ll just list three:

– 1. Patton – because she defines ‘blonde bombshell’ perfectly. I’ve been told I have a thing for blondes though…

– 2. Radeo – because she’s Radeo.

– 3. GoGo – she has this awesome presence in photos and is the perfect mix of a supermodel and SuicideGirl.

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